Ed The Dev .com

1. If you’re running a Windows version older than Windows XP or Windows Vista, buy a new operating system.

   Or try out Ubuntu. Ubuntu is free.

   Or if you prefer to keep your old version of Windows, cut your network wire and never go online again.

2. Turn on Windows Updates and Windows Firewall.

3. If you have Limewire or BitTorrent installed, uninstall them. Peer-to-peer file sharing is the most common way to get a virus infection.

4. If you’re browsing with Internet Explorer, stop right now and Download Firefox. Firefox is free. Never use Internet Explorer again.

5. Look at the list of Firefox plug-ins below. If you’re missing either of them, stop browsing the web right now and go get them right now. They are both free.

   NoScript How to use NoScript: Allow scripts only on websites that you trust. For example, would you trust them with your credit card number? If not, don’t allow scripts.

   Web of Trust How to use ‘Web of Trust’: When ‘Web of Trust’ warns you not to visit a page, don’t visit that page.

6. Don’t open any email attachments, ever. Never download anything (except of course Firefox, and the two plugins listed above).

7. Alternatively, you can skip step 6 if you choose to install a good virus scan product. If you’re willing to pay for the best, try [McAfee] or [Norton]. Otherwise, go get [AVG] or [Avast] for free right now. Use one of these. No less, no more. One being the number you should use. Zero being unacceptable, except where using zero leads immediately to changing to using one. Etc.

Tada! Pat yourself on the back.

Edward Delaporte  Apr 30 Uncategorized